Describes a fifth-grade student solving the "Food for Thought" problem featured in the February 1998 issue. (ASK)

Discusses ways to help students improve their problem-solving skills. Presents some mathematics problems to be used in classrooms. (ASK)

Describes an activity designed to help students understand the concept of a variable and the process of gathering like terms or simplifying algebraic expressions using egg cartons and plastic eggs. (MKR)

Outlines four solution methods for the Mangoes Problem, discusses how middle school students have approached the problem, suggests generalizations of the problem, and gives an example of a related problem that can be used as an extension to explore the four strategies discussed. (MKR)

Describes two problem-solving videodisc adventure stories related to geometry and reports reactions of (n=25) teachers and their students who used the adventures. Results found teachers and students had increased knowledge of ways to apply geometry. (12 references) (MKR)

Describes a staff development project, created by and for teachers, that consolidates awareness, realistic planning, implementation, sharing, and frequent assessment activities to answer the calls for educational reform to both improve and change classroom instruction. Includes staff development questionnaire. (MKR)

Presents the use of concept mapping as an assessment tool augmented by an additional activity. Discusses how this elaboration of a concept map contains potential information on what students are coming to understand and helps the teacher to decide the direction of future instruction. Presents examples of students' concept maps. (ASK)

Describes how successful study of mathematics requires a set of problem-solving processes that help students reason mathematically, offers a context in which students can communicate their reasoning, and provides opportunities for students to link their learning to prior mathematical contexts. Discusses the three basic processes of Krutetskii's…

Defines number sense and gives suggestions and activities for teachers to use in helping students develop number sense, including using process questions, using writing assignments, encouraging invented methods, using appropriate calculation tools, helping students establish benchmarks, and promoting internal questioning. (MKR)

Describes the qualifications and work of an actuary and the history of statistics. Contains reproducible student activity worksheets focusing on actuarial data. (MKR)

Describes a mathematics activity using square pads of notepaper and sticky notes to do simple paper folding in order to increase students' understanding of fractions. (ASK)

Argues that geometric models should be used to analyze, interpret, and solve problems from probability, algebra, and other areas of mathematics and that geometry should have a place among the major topics of emphasis in the mathematics studies of a middle school student. Presents responses from selected teachers to some questions about geometry.…

Suggests that the differences existing between the view of algebra as a mandated course at a specified grade level and the view of algebra as a way of mathematical thinking and reasoning developed gradually over time must be positively integrated to help students develop a genuine capacity for algebraic thinking and reasoning. (AIM)

Discusses how nature can illustrate mathematical structures and concepts in the classroom. For example, the upper surface of a typical leaf structure illustrates the notion of tessellating with polygons. Also lists classroom applications and hands-on activities such as growing crystals to investigate the natural forms of polyhedra and measuring…

Describes the creation of a company purchase order complete with the names of items to be purchased, cost, quantity, discounts, sales tax, and balance due. It requires students to apply their knowledge and understanding of percentages and also gives students an opportunity to understand the mathematics they use with algebraic formulas. (AIM)